Apparatus for filling beer cans or the like

ABSTRACT

The filling devices in an apparatus which fills beer cans orbit about a vertical axis and have upright housings supporting cylindrical centering members which carry deformable gaskets for the mouths of cans. Such canes are supported by a conveyor which orbits with the filling devices and is movable up and down or is held against vertical movement during rotation with the filling devices. The introduction of liquid into the cans takes place subsequent to introduction of a compressed gas, and such gas can be used to bias the gaskets against the mouths of cans during filling. When the filling of a can is completed, the pressure in its interior is increased to facilitate separation from the respective gasket. That supply of beer which remains in a channel of the housing on closing of the beer-admitting valve can be expelled in response to expansion of gas in a chamber which receives such gas by way of the container and is sealed from the container by beer in the channel. The expansion of gas in the chamber takes place in response to opening of a valve which reduces the pressure of gas above the body of liquid in the container.

111 3,807,463 [45] Apr. 30, 1974 United States Patent [191 Rademacher et a1.

S11 Breeback.......................... 141/62 X 976 8/1972 Remane.... 141/62 X 141/62 X APPARATUS FOR FILLING BEER CANS OR THE LIKE 11/1909 Gull..........

r .n e n m u m nS m mm 6 mn mm 1 h P W F 39 r 1 r 99 m HH m 44 me k 33 E 92 3 m 80 Mr 5 0 n" 11 PA Germany [73] Assignee: Holstein & Kappert ABSTRACT Masehinenfabrik Phonix GmbH, Dortmund, Germany Aug. 27, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 175,673

The filling devices in an apparatus which fills beer cans orbit about a vertical axis and have upright housings supporting cylindrical centering members which [22] Filed:

carry deformable gaskets for the mouths of cans. Such canes are supported by a conveyor which orbits with the filling devices and is movable up and down or is [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 29, 1970 Apr. 17, 197 Apr. 27, 197

held against vertical movement during rotation with Germany........................... 2042990 7115418 the filling devices. The introduction of liquid into the Germany..

cans takes place subsequent to introduction of a com- Germany............................

pressed gas, and such gas can be used to bias the gas- May 10, 197 Gennany.....

kets against the mouths of cans during filling. When the filling of a can is completed, the pressure in its in- May 10, 197 Germany.....

Germany.....

May 22, 197

ten'or is increased to facilitate separation from the re- Germany.....

May 21, 197

spective gasket. That supply of beer which remains in 7121655 June 4, 1971 Germany............................

a channel of the housing on closing of the beeradmitting valve can be expelled in response to expan- 141/62, 141/104, 141/236 [52] US. CL...

sion of gas in a chamber which receives such gas by way of the container and is sealed from the container by beer in the channel. The expansion of gas in the ,chamber takes place in response to opening of a valve 26 0M 3 4 .mbO 1 6 BB2 M 1 W M d 7km 6 Bm 2 m 0 n 5 .m d m m n h B m m m 1 n C d L d .m m l l .1 0 5 5 .1

which reduces the pressure of gas above the body of liquid in the container.

34 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPR 30 1974 3807.463

' sum 01 [1F 14 PATENTEDAPR3OIQY4 $801,463

SHEET uuuF14 PATENTEmPRso I974 3 463 v SHEET 'D80F14 PATENTEDAPR30 I974 SHEET 10 [1F 14 j/la PATENTEnAPm I974 38073163 sum 11 [IF 14 PATENIEDAPRBOIBM 3,807,463

sum 13 0F 1 4 APPARATUS FOR FILLING BEER CANS OR THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus for filling cans or analogous containers with beer, juice,'milk and- /or other types of carbonated or non-carbonated liquids. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in container filling apparatus of the type wherein a supply of liquid to be introduced into metallic cans or like containers is preferably stored in an annular vessel below a cushion of compressed gas and wherein the vessel rotates during the filling of containers.

Presently known apparatus of the just outlined character are normally provided with an entire battery of equidistant filling devices which' extend downwardly from the annular vessel and are provided with means for sealing the mouths of containers (such as beer cans and hereinafter referred to as cans for short) during introduction of metered quantities of a liquid, such as beer. It is customary to place empty cans onto a conveyor which is provided with means for lifting the cans into sealing engagement with ring-shaped gaskets of the respective filling devices. Since the cans orbit about the axis of rotation of the vessel during introduction of such metered quantities of a liquid, the upper surfaces of the bodies of liquid in the cans arestrongly inclined under the action of centrifugal force which acts on decanted liquid, and such inclination presents serious problems during removal of filled cans from the filling apparatus as well as if it is desired to fill each of a series of cans with identical quantities of a liquid. The problems which arise in connection with the inclination of the upper surface of the body of liquid in a filled can are especially serious during downward movement of the can in order to disengage its mouth from the gasket of the respective filling device.

Additional problems arise in presently known fillin apparatus for beer cans or the like when the cans consist of relatively weak (readily deformable) material, such as thin aluminum sheet stock. Thus, the magnitude of forces which are employed to insure a satisfactory sealing action between a gasket and the mouth of a can must be maintained within a very narrow range because, if such forces are too weak, the sealing action is unsatisfactory and the respective can cannot receive any liquid or receives less than the desired'quantity of liquid. On the other hand, if the forces are excessive, the can is likely to be deformed so that it must be discarded together with its contents and is likely to contaminate the filling apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved apparatus for filling metallic cans or analogous containers with beer, juice or other carbonated or uncarbonated beverages in such a way that a relatively weak container is not likely to undergo deformation-in the course of the filling operation andthat each of a series of successive containers receives the same quantity of liquid. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide novel and improved means for preventing contamination of a filling apparatus for beer cans or the like by droplets of liquid, and for reducing the waste in liquid to a mini- I mum.

A further .object of the invention is to provide novel and improved means for introducing metered quantities of a liquid into beer cans or analogous containers by gravity flow.

An additional object of the invention is to provide novel means for sealing the mouths of cans or analogous containers preparatory to and during filling with beer or other types of liquids.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel and improved means for disengaging the mouths of liquid-filled containers from gaskets in apparatus for the filling of beer cans or the like.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for introduction of a liquid into cans or other types of containers with novel and improvedfilling devices which reduce the likelihood of contamination of the apparatus with liquid, which can fill each of a series of containers with the same quantity of liquid, and

' which can be rapidly disengaged from filled containers without resorting to mechanical deflectors and without deformation of containers and/or spillage of their contents.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel gaskets which can be used in the improved filling devices to seal the mouths of cans or analogous containers preparatory to and during filling.

Another object of the invention is to provide the improved filling devices with novel means for expelling such quantities of a liquid which remain in the filling devices upon completed filling of containers to a predetermined level andwhich would go to waste in the absence of expulsion into partially filled containers.

' A further object of the invention is to provide a filling device for beer cans or like containers with novel means for sealing the mouths of containers without the danger of deformation of containers and in such a way that the sealing means can be rapidly and conveniently separated from the mouth of a filled container.

An ancillary object of the invention is to provide the filling devices with novel gas and liquid-admitting valve means as well as with novel means for reducing the pressure in filled or partially filled containers and for expelling remnants of decanted liquid from a filling device into the registering partially filled container.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein the containers to be filled need not be moved up and down preparatory to and/or subsequent to filling with'metered quantities of a liquid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a filling apparatus for cans or analogous containers whose energy requirements are less than those of presently known apparatus.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can be utilized for satisfactory filling of different types of containers and which can be readily adjusted tointroduce into each containera desired quantity of liquid.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein the adjustment to change the quantities of liquid in containers can be carried out without necessitating any or by-necessitating only a minor partial dismantling of the component parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can be used for proper filling of relatively weak containers or for the filling of containers which are capable of withstanding substantial stresses for the purpose of sealing their interior from the surrounding atmosphere.

One feature of the present invention resides in the provision of an apparatus for filling cans or analogous containers with liquids. In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises means for placing the mouth of an empty container (such as an aluminum can) into sealing engagement with a gasket (by moving the can against the gasket and/or by moving the gasket against the can), means for raising the pressure in the interior of the thus sealed container by admitting into the container a compressed gas, means for introducing into the container a metered quantity of a liquid, preferably by gravity flow and preferably while maintaining the liquid at a pressure which is identical with or close to the pressure of gas in the container, and means for thereupon raising the pressure in the container in the space above the liquid level to promote the separation of the mouth from the gasket.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises means for placing the mouth of an empty container into sealing engagement with a preferably elastic or deformable gasket, means for raising the pressure in the container, means for introducing into the container a pressurized liquid along a predetermined path (for example, through an annular channel) with simultaneous expulsion of gas from the container, means for terminating the admission of liquid into the container while retaining a supply of liquid in the path, means for reducing the pressure in the container above the level of liquid therein, and means for pneumatically expelling the supply of liquid from the path into the container.

The expelling operation preferably comprises confining a portion of compressed gas in an expansion chamber and sealing the thus confined gas from the container by the liquid which flows in the aforementioned path whereby the confined gas expands automatically and expels the supply of liquid from the path in response to a reduction of pressure in the container in the space above the liquid level. The expansion chamber can be connected with the atmosphere subsequent to expulsion of the supply of liquid from the path.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved filling apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary axial sectional view ofa filling apparatus for beer cans, showing one of the filling devices in a position in which an annular gasket of a sealing and centering member engages the mouth ofa beer can;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the filling device substantially as seen in the direction of arrows from the line II-ll of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary axial sectional view ofa filling apparatus embodying a second type of filling devices one of which is shown in axial section;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the second filling device substantially as seen in the direction of arrows from the line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a similar horizontal sectional view substan- 5 tially as seen in the direction of arrows from the line VV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an axial sectional view of a third filling device for beer cans or the like;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of a filling device similar to the filling device of FIG. 6 but with the inner parts of the valve housing omitted.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of a gasket for the mouth of a first beer can;

FIG. 9 is a similar fragmentary axial sectional view of a gasket for the mouth of a modified beer can;

FIG. 10 illustrates the structure of FIG. 8 but with the gasket in deformed condition;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of a further filling apparatus showing the manner in which the upper surface of liquid in a properly mounted can becomes inclined under the action of centrifugal force during filling, and further showing means for reducing the inclination of such upper surface;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a similar fragmentary horizontal sectional view but showing modified means for reducing the inclination of the upper surface of liquid in a can;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of a filling device which constitutes a modification of the device shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of a filling device which constitutes a modification of the filling device shown in FIG. 13; 7

FIG. 16 is a diagram wherein the curves represent the outline of the upper surface of a body of liquid in a can during filling when the apparatus is without as well as when the apparatus embodies means for reducing the inclination of such surface;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of a filling apparatus employing filling devices which constitute modifications of the device shown in FIGS. 3 to 5;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line XVIII-X- VIII of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of still another filling device;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view of a gasket which can be used to seal the mouths of cans in the filling apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of the gasket as seen in the direction of arrows from the line XXIXXI of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a similar fragmentary axial sectional view of a modified gasket; and

FIG. 23 is a similar fragmentary axial sectional view of still another gasket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a portion of an apparatus which is utilized for the filling of containers with liquids, particularly for the filling of cans 4 with beer or other carbonated beverages. The apparatus comprises a preferably annular vessel or tank 2 having a ring-shaped chamber 3 which contains a supply of liquid (hereinafter called beer) and a cushion of compressed (e.g., air) which forms a layer at a level above the supply of beer. The vessel 2 carries an annulus of equidistant filling devices or units one of which is shown in FIG. 1. This vessel is rotated about a vertical axis so that the filling of cans 4 takes place while they travel with the respective filling devices along an arcuate path, preferably in a horizontal plane. The cans 4 are supported by a conveyor 1 1 in the form of a turntable which rotates with and at the angular speed of the vessel 2. Such types of filling apparatus are well known in the art.

One feature of the invention resides in such mounting of the conveyor 11 that the cans 4 which are transferred onto it at a first transfer station (not shown) need not be moved up or down during filling .which takes place while the cans advance from the first station toward a second transfer station (not shown) where the filled cans are removed seriatim for transfer into a capping or sealing machine, not shown.

Another feature of the invention resides in the construction, mounting and mode of operation of the filling devices each of which comprises a housing 1 secured to the underside of the vessel 2 by bolts, screws or analogous fasteners, not shown. The internal chamber 3 of the vessel 2 contains beer in its lower portion and the aforementioned cushion of compressed gas in its upper portion, i.e., above the liquid level.

The. housing 1 supports and guides an axially reciprocable centering and sealing member 6 which resembles an upright cylinder and is provided with an internal groove for reception of a ring-shaped packing7 which prevents the escape of liquid and/or gas along theexternal surface of the housing 1. The external surface of the sealing member 6 is provided with one or more cutouts, recesses, flats or with a circumferentially extending groove (see the groove 8 in FIG. 1) which can receive the. prongs of a preferably bifurcated shifter SH serving to move the sealing member 6 up and down in predetermined angular positions of the vessel '2. The lower end face of the sealing member 6 is formed with a ring-shaped recess or groove 66 for an elastic annular sealing element (hereinafter called gasket) 10 which can be caused to bear against the mouth of the can 4 to seal the latters interior from the atmosphere during filling with beer from the chamber 3 of the vessel 2. The uppermost or innermost portion of the recess'6a is of rectangular outline and the radially outermost surface 6b of the recess 6a merges into a downwardly and outwardly flaring conical guide surface or centering surface 9 which serves to center the can 4 during movement of the sealing member 6 to the lower end position shown in FIG. 1.

The conveyor 11 is provided with substantially semicircular positioning devices 12 which are open radially outwardly with reference to the axis of rotation of the vessel 2 (i.e., in a direction to the left, as viewed in FIG. 1) to permit convenient insertion of empty cans 4 at the first transfer station and convenient withdrawal of filled cans at the second transfer station. The positioning devices 12 are undercut, as clearly shown in FIG. 1, so that they can accommodate portions of the beads 48 at the lower ends of cans 4. If desired, each positioning device 12 can be replaced with one or more suction cups (not shown) or each such positioning device 12 can be provided with one or more suction ports (one shown in FIG. 1, as at 12a) which are connected with a suction generating device (e.g., with a suitable fan, not shown) while the respective can travels between 1 the first and second transfer stations to thereby hold the can against movement under the action of centrifugal force. The ports 12a can be connected with the suction generating device by way of a suitable valve plate, not shown, which seals a port 12a from the suction generating device as soon as a filled can 4 reaches the second transfer station and is ready to be removed from the conveyor 11. The illustrated can 4 is assumed to consist of metallic sheet stock, e.g., aluminum. I

The filling device of FIG. 1 further comprises a ringshaped insert or core 13 which is coaxial with and is surrounded by the lower end portion of the housing 1 to define therewith an annular liquid-admitting channel 14 the lower end portion of which flares conically outwardly and downwardly, as at 140, to insure that beer which is permitted to flow from the chamber 3 of the vessel 2 can impinge against the internal surface of the cylindrical side wall of the can 4 to thereby reduce the likelihood of splashing and foaming. Thus, the conically diverging lower end portion 14a of the channel 14 insures a laminar inflow of beer along the internal surface of the can 4. The channel 14 is interrupted at one, two or even more points (for example, at two points which are located diametrically opposite each other with reference to the axis of the sealing member 6) where the core 13 is secured to the housing 1.

The housing 1 is further provided with an internal shoulder 15 which is preferably flush with the upper end face of the core 13 and hence with the upper end of the channel 14. The shoulder 15 constitutes a seat for an elastic valve member 16 which is mounted in the enlarged lower end portion 24 of a tubular carrier 18 formed with one or more radially extending apertures or holes 17 and being biased upwardly by a helical spring 18a which reacts against the vessel 2 and bears against a flange (not shown) at the upper end of the carrier 18. The upper end portion of the carrier 18 constitutes a follower or is provided with a roller follower which tracks the face of a suitably configurated stationary ring-shaped cam (not shown) cooperating with the spring 18a to insure that the elastic valve member 16 seals the upper end of the channel 14 during certain first stages of rotation of the vessel 2 and permits beer to flow from the chamber 3 into the channel 14 during certain second stages of rotation of the vessel about its axis. The carrier 18 has an internal space or compartment 19 which communicates with an external space or compartment 19a by way of the apertures 17. The compartments l9 and 19a are in permanent communication with the chamber 3 of the vessel 2, i.e., a supply of beer fills the space at both sides of the enlarged ringshaped lower end portion which carries the elastic valve member 16. Thus, as soon asthe spring 18a is free to lift the carrier 18 above the position shown in FIG. 1, a stream of beer is free to flow from the chamber3, into the compartments 19, 19a and into the upper end of the channel 14 to flow into a can 4 that is centered by the sealing member 6.

The core 13 surrounds a coaxially mounted gas conveying conduit or pipe 20 which has an externally threaded lower end portion 21 meshing with a tapped through bore in a supporting member or yoke 23. The end portion 21 further meshes with a lock nut 22 which normally holds the conduit or pipe 20 against uncontrolled axial movement with reference to the sealing member 6. The two end portions of the supporting member 23 are secured to the sealing member 6 by screws 25 (see FIG. 2) or analogous removable fastener means. The upper end portion of the pipe 20 extends into the internal space 26 of a tubular valve body 27 forming part of a valve which further includes a vertically movable valve member 5. The upper end portion of the valve member carries or constitutes a roller follower (not shown) which tracks the face of a stationary cam serving to insure (preferably in conjunction with a suitable spring, not shown) that the valve including the parts 5, 27 allows the interior of the can 4 to communicate with the space for compressed gas above the level of beer in the chamber 3 in predetermined angular positions of the vessel 2. The upper end portion of the valve member 27 extends above the level of beer in the chamber 3 so that beer cannot enter the can 4 by way of the conduit or pipe 20.

The supporting member 23 for the pipe 20 is preferably mounted in a plane which includes the axis of rotation of the vessel 2.

The external surface ofthe housing 1 is provided with a circumferential groove which is surrounded by an internal groove of the sealing member 6 to form therewith a ring-shaped pressure chamber 28. This chamber communicates with the interior of the can 4 by way of one or more axially parallel passages or bores 32 which are machined into the housing 1 and/or sealing member 6 radially outwardly of the channel 14, and with an upwardly extending passage or bore 29 which is machined into the housing 1 and wherein the flow of gas is controlled by a pressure reducing valve 30. The valve 30 has a seat 30a which is normally sealed by a conical valve member 31 having an outwardly projecting extension or follower 31a which travels along and can be depressed by a stationary cam 31A mounted adjacent to the path of the valve 30. The pressure of gas in the chamber 28 and passage 29 normally maintains the valve member 31 in sealing engagement with its seat 30a.

The operation of the filling device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is as follows:

When an empty beer can 4 is delivered to the illustrated portion of the conveyor 11 and is properly located by the positioning device 12 (and held, if necessary, by suction in the port 12a), the liquid flow controlling valve 15, 16 is closed, the gas flow controlling valve 5, 27 is also closed, and the pressure reducing valve 30 is closed, too. The can 4 thereupon shares the angular movement of the filling device because the conveyor 11 is driven at the exact speed of the vessel 2 which supports the filling device. The shifter SH is caused to move the sealing member 6 axially downwardly (preferably by means of a cam, not shown) so that the gasket engages and seals the open mouth of the can 4. As soon as the interior of the can 4 is sealed from the surrounding atmosphere, a cam causes or allows the valve member 5 to rise and to thus establish a path for communication between the interior of the can 4 and the gas cushion above the supply of beer in the chamber 3 of the vessel 2 (by way of the tubular valve body 27, space 26 and conduit or pipe This equalizes the pressure in the vessel 2, channel 14, valve body 27, pipe 20, can 4, pressure chamber 28, bore or bores 32 and passage 29. The effective area of the annular surface 28a of the sealing member 6 at the lower end of the pressure chamber 28 exceeds only slightly the effective area of the surface 28b of the valve housing 1 at the upper end of the pressure chamber 28 so that compressed gas in the chamber 28 causes the gasket 10 to bear against the mouth of the can 4 with a relatively small force. Thus, the difference between the effective areas of the surfaces 28 and 28b, together with the pressure of gas which is admitted into the can 4 by way of the pipe 20, determines the magnitude of the sealing force acting upon the mouth of the can.

The carrier 18 is caused 18 by the spring to move upwardly when the gas pressure in the can 4 and chamber 28 equals the pressure of gas above the liquid level in the chamber 3. Thus, the valve member 16 moves above and away from the seat 15 and a stream of beer is free to flow into the can 4 by way of the compartments 19, 19a and channel 14. The inflow of beer into the can 4 is terminated automatically when the liquid level reaches the open lower end of the pipe 20. This will be readily understood since the valve 30 is still closed and the freshly admitted supply of beer seals the pipe 20 so that the gas cannot escape from the uppermost part of the can 4. The valve member 5 is thereupon caused to descend and to seal the cushion of gas in the chamber 3 from the pipe 20, and the valve member 16 is also caused to descend and to seal the 'compartments 19, 19a from the channel 14. Thus, the filled can 4 is still sealed from the atmosphere and is also sealed from the supplies of compressed gas and beer in the vessel 2. The cam 31A thereupon causes the follower 3la to move the valve member 31 of the valve 30 away from the seat 30a. This results in a drop of pressure in the passage 29, chamber 28, bore 32 and the uppermost part of the can 4 above the liquid level. The shifter SH then causes the sealing member 6 to lift the gasket 10 and the pipe 20 above and away from the filled can 4 before the latter reaches the second transfer station. At such second station, the filled can 4 is transferred onto a conveyor (not shown) which forms part of a sealing or closing machine wherein the mouth of the can is sealed in a manner not forming part of the present invention. As a rule, the can 4 which enters the sealing machine will orbit with one of several sealing devices in the same or similar way as described for the can 4 and filling device of FIG. 1.

The upper level of beer in a filled can 4 may be selected at will by appropriate axial adjustment of the conduit or pipe 20 with reference to the supporting member 23 and sealing member 6. Prior to such adjustment, the nut 22 is loosened so that the pipe 20 can be readily rotated with reference to the member 23.

A drawback which is overcome by the advent of the present invention is that the cans are less likely to adhere or are incapable of adhering to the gasket of the reciprocable sealing and centering member. Such adherence of the mouth of a can or an analogous container to the gasket of a conventional filling device is often attributable to the fact that many types of containers are provided with protective layers or coats of lacquer or the like and that such material tends to accumulate at the underside of the gasket. The thus accumulated material acts not unlike a layer of adhesive which tends and often succeeds to lift a filled container off the conveyor in response to upward movement of the sealing member.

Another reason for frequent adherence of filled containers to the gaskets of filling devices is that the mouth of a container is often provided with projecting parts and/or relatively sharp edges which are due to manufacturing defects or are provided intentionally. Such projecting portions or sharp edges are likely to cut into the material of the gasket to form therein slits, grooves or like recesses capable of permitting penetration of the mouth of a next-following container and the lifting of such container in response to upward movement of the sealing member upon completion of a filling operation. Furthermore, if a sealing member comprises or carries a relatively soft gasket, the material of the gasket is likely to be deformed to partially or completely surround a bead or a like formation on the mouth of a container and to thereby cause the container to rise in response to upward movement of the respective sealing member. Therefore, many conventional filling apparatus for beer cans or analogous containers comprise one or more deflectors which are mounted in the path of filled containers to insure separation of such containers from the respective gaskets before the containers reach I the station where they are caused to leave the filling ap paratus for introduction into a sealing machine. Such deflectors or analogous separating means exhibit serious drawbacks because, by striking against an oncoming filled container, the deflector is likelyto deform the container and/or to cause spillage of its contents.

An advantage of the supporting member 23 is that it can be reached, inspected, removed and reattached without necessitating even partial dismantling of the filling device. Also, the axial position of the conduit or pipe can be changed while the supporting member 23 remains attached to the sealing member 6, merely by loosening or removing the nut 22, by thereupon rotating the pipe 20 with reference to the supporting member 23, and by tightening the nut 22 to maintain the pipe 20 in the selected axial position. When the'filling device is in use, the movements of the sealing member 6 are invariably synchronized with movements of the pipe 20 to thus insure that each of a series of successive cans 4 will receive the same quantity of liquid, namely, such quantity as is required to seal the lower end of the pipe 20 and to thus terminate the equalization of pressures in the upper part of the vessel 2 and in the upper part of the container 4. If the illustrated pipe 20 is too short or too long, it can be readily removed from the filling device and replaced with a longer or shorter pipe.

FIGS. 3 to 5 illustrate a second filling device or unit which comprises a housing 101 shown as being integral with an annular vessel 102 having a ring-shaped chamber 103 for a supply of beer below a cushion of' compressed gas. It is clear, however, that the housing 101 can constitute a discrete part which, with a set of similar housings (not shown), is bolted, screwedor otherwise separably fastened to the underside of the vessel 102. A beer can 104 rests on a conveyor or turntable 111 and is held in requisite position by a preferably semicircular or U-shaped positioning device 1 12 which may but need not be provided with or replaced by suction heads, suction ports or like means for holding the can 104 by suction.

The housing 101 is surrounded by and guides a substantially cylindrical sealing and centering member 106 which is movable up and down by a shifter (not shown) corresponding to the shifter SI-I of FIG. 1 and having prongs extending or extendable into a pair of horizontal slots 108 shown in FIG. 4. These slots are machined into the peripheral surface of the sealing member 106 substantially or exactly diametrically opposite each other. A ring-shaped elastic packing 107 is mounted in an internal groove of the sealing member 106 and bears against the external surface of the adjacent portion of the housing 101. The aforementioned shifter can move the sealing member 106 up and down, i.e., into and from sealing engagement with the upper end portion of the can 104 on the conveyor 111. The lower end face of the sealing member 106 is provided with a recess 106a corresponding to the recess 6a of FIG. 1 and receiving an elastically deformable annular sealing ele ment or gasket 110. The reference character 109 denotes in FIG. 3 a downwardly and outwardly flaring conical guide surface or centering surface of the sealing member 106.

The housing 101 surrounds an insert or core 113 and defines therewith an annular liquid admitting channel 114 the lower portion of which flares outwardly and downwardly, as at 114a, in order to insure laminar inflow of beer into the can 104. The core 113 may consist of two sections which abut against each other in the plane of the upper end of the conical channel portion 1 14a. The continuity of the channel 114, as considered in the circumferential direction of the core 113, is interrupted at one point (not specifically shown) where the core is secured to the housing 101.

An internal shoulder 115 of the housing 101 is flush with the upper end face of the core 113 and forms therewith an annular seat for an elastic valve member 116 which is held by the enlarged lower end portion 124 of a tubular carrier 118. The internal compartment 119 of this carrier communicates with an external compartment 119a by way of one or more apertures 117 which are machined into the carrier. The compartment 110a surrounds the carrier 118 and is in turn surrounded by the housing 101. The carrier 118 is biased upwardly by a helical spring 118a and can be moved downwardly, against the opposition of the spring 118a, by a suitably configurated stationary cam, not shown, while the illustrated filling device orbits with the vessel 102 and conveyor 111 about a vertical axis. As explained in connection with FIG. 1, the vessel 102 preferably supports an entire set of equidistant filling devices each'of which is preferably identical with the illustrated filling device and serves to introduce into a can 104 a predetermined quantity of beer during travel with the can between a first transfer station where empty cans are delivered onto the conveyor 111 and a transfer station wherefilled cafiiiratsang removed for introduction into a sealing machine, not shown. 11 is brought about by the portion 301D of the housing 301A.

The compartments 119, 1192i are filled with beer which can flow into the channel 114 and through this channel into a can 104 as soon as the valve member 116 is lifted by the spring 118a.

The core 113 surrounds a gas conveying conduit or pipe 120 which is secured to the sealing member 106 by a substantially 'L-shaped supporting member 123. One end of the supporting member 123 has a tapered bore for the externally threaded lower end portion 121 of the pipe 120, and the other end of the supporting member 123 is secured to the sealing member 106 by one or more bolts or analogous fasteners. A lock nut 122 is applied to the underside of the supporting member 123 to prevent unintentional axial displacement of the pipe 120. A ring-shaped flange 121a at the upper end of the externally threaded portion 121 serves 

1. In an apparatus for filling cans or analogous containers with carbonated beverages or other liquids, a filling device comprising a hollow tubular housing; a sealing member mounted in said housing for movement toward and from a lower end position and having deformable annular gasket means arranged to sealingly engage from above the mouth of a container which is positioned below said housing; first valve means mounted in said housing and movable to an open position to thereby admit a compressed gas into the container which is engaged by said gasket means, said sealing member defining with said housing a chamber located at a level above said gasket means and arranged to receive compressed gas in response to opening of said first valve means whereby the compressed gas in said chamber urges said gasket means against the mouth of the container therebelow; second valve means provided in said housing and movable to an open position to admit a pressurized liquid into the container which is engaged by said gasket means; gas conveying conduit means operatively connected with said first valve means and communicating with the interior of the container which is engaged by said gasket means; and supporting means securing said conduit means to said sealing member so that said conduit means shares the movements of said sealing member with reference to said housing.
 2. A filling device as defined in claim 1, wherein said sealing member and/or said housing is provided with a passage connecting said chamber with the interior of the container whose mouth is engaged by said gasket means.
 3. A filling device as defined in claim 2, wherein said chamber receives compressed gas by way of said conduit means, of the container which is engaged by said gasket means and of said passage in response to opening of said first valve means.
 4. A filling device as defined in claim 2, wherein said chamber is an annular chamber having a maximum diameter equal to or greater than the diameter of that portion of said gasket means which engages the mouth of a container in said lower end position of said sealing member.
 5. A filling device as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing is arranged to orbit about a substantially vertical axis and said supporting means is disposed substantially radially with reference to such axis.
 6. A filling device as defined in claim 5, wherein said housing is provided with arcuate channel means wherein the liquid flows into a container which is engaged by said gasket means in response to opening of said second valve means, said supporting means including a portion disposed below and extending across said channel means in that region of said channel means which is remotest from said axis.
 7. A filling device as defined in claim 1, further comprising pressure reducing valve means actuatable to connect the interior of a container which is engaged by said gasket means with the atmosphere.
 8. A filling device as defined in claim 7, wherein said housing defines channel means by way of which the liquid enters the container which is engaged by said gasket means in response to opening of said second valve means and wherein a supply of liquid remains on closing of said second valve means, and further comprising means for expelling such supply of liquid into the container which is engaged by said gasket means in closed positions of said first and second valve means.
 9. A filling device as defined in claim 8, wherein said means for expelling comprises an expansion chamber provided in said housing and arranged to receive compressed gas by way of said channel means in response to opening of said first valve means and to remain sealed from the container which is engaged by said gasket means by liquid whiCh flows through said channel means in the open position of said second valve means, the gas in said expansion chamber being free to expand and to expel the supply of liquid from said channel means into the container which is engaged by said gasket means in the closed positions of said first and second valve means and in response to actuation of said pressure reducing valve means.
 10. A filling device as defined in claim 9, further comprising additional valve means actuatable to connect said expansion chamber with the atmosphere upon expulsion of the supply of liquid from said channel means.
 11. A filling device as defined in claim 9, wherein said channel means comprises an upper portion adjacent to said second valve means and said expansion chamber communicates with said upper portion of said channel means.
 12. A filling device as defined in claim 9, further comprising a spring-biased plunger provided in said expansion chamber and arranged to be displaced against the spring bias by compressed gas which enters said chamber in response to opening of said first valve means and to expel the compressed gas from said chamber in response to actuation of said pressure reducing valve means.
 13. A filling device as defined in claim 1, wherein said sealing member comprises a lower end portion surrounding said gasket means and having a downwardly and outwardly flaring conical container-centering surface.
 14. A filling device as defined in claim 1, further comprising annular sealing means interposed between said housing and said sealing member.
 15. A filling device as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing and said sealing member have surfaces bounding said chamber, the effective areas of said surfaces being such that the gas in said chamber biases said sealing member in a direction toward the container which is engaged by said gasket means.
 16. A filling device as defined in claim 1, wherein said conduit means is coaxial with and is adjustable axially of said sealing member and has a lower end portion extending into the interior of the container whose mouth is engaged by said gasket means.
 17. In an apparatus for filling cans or analogous containers with carbonated beverages or other liquids, a filling device comprising a housing; a sealing member mounted on said housing for movement toward and from a predetermined position and having deformable annular gasket means arranged to sealingly engage the mouth of a container therebelow; first valve means mounted in said housing and movable to an open position to admit into the sealingly engaged container a compressed gas; second valve means mounted in said housing and movable to an open position so as to admit into the sealingly engaged container a liquid by gravity flow; and third valve means mounted in said housing and movable to an open position to thereby reduce the pressure in a liquid-containing container which is engaged by said gasket means, said housing defining an expansion chamber and a channel for admission of liquid into the sealingly engaged container in response to opening of said second valve means, said chamber receiving compressed gas by way of said channel on opening of said first valve means and being sealed by the liquid in said channel in response to opening of said second valve means as well as by the supply of liquid which remains in said channel upon closing of said second valve means and in closed position of said third valve means, the gas in said chamber being free to expand and to expel the supply of liquid from said channel in response to opening of said third valve means.
 18. A filling device as defined in claim 17, further comprising means for supporting a container against movement with reference to said housing during engagement of such container by the gasket means of said sealing member.
 19. A filling device as defined in claim 18, wherein said housing and said sealing member define a pressure chamber which receives compressed gas in response to opening Of said first valve means whereby such gas acts upon said sealing member to urge said gasket means against the mouth of the container.
 20. A filling device as defined in claim 1, wherein said chamber is bounded by a relatively small effective surface of said housing and a relatively large effective surface of said sealing member whereby the differential between the effective areas of said surfaces determines the magnitude of the force with which the gas in said chamber urges said gasket means against the container.
 21. A filling device as defined in claim 20, wherein the minimum diameter of said surface on said sealing member at most equals the maximum diameter of that portion of said gasket means which is engaged by the container, and further comprising shifter means for moving said sealing member with reference to said housing member.
 22. A filling device as defined in claim 1, further comprising valve means actutable to connect said chamber with the atmosphere.
 23. A filling device as defined in claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises a yoke.
 24. A filling device as defined in claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises a substantially L-shaped member having a first portion connected with said sealing member and a second portion connected with said conduit means.
 25. A filling device as defined in claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises a portion located below said housing and extending substantially diametrically of said sealing member, said portion having two ends and further comprising fastener means securing said ends of said portion to said sealing member.
 26. A filling device as defined in claim 25, wherein said portion of said supporting means comprises a tapped bore and said conduit means comprises an externally threaded portion in said tapped bore whereby the axial position of said conduit means can be changed by rotating it with reference to said supporting means.
 27. A filling device as defined in claim 25, wherein said ends of said portion are bent upwardly and are adjacent to the internal surface of said sealing member.
 28. A filling device as defined in claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises a substantially horizontal portion located below said housing and adjustably supporting said conduit means and a substantially vertical portion secured to said sealing member.
 29. A filling device as defined in claim 1, wherein said conduit means comprises an externally threaded portion and said supporting means has an internally threaded portion meshing with said externally threaded portion so that said conduit means is adjustable with reference to said sealing member in response to rotation relative to said supporting means.
 30. A filling device as defined in claim 1, wherein said conduit means comprises at least one external groove and said supporting means comprises a portion extending into said groove of said conduit means.
 31. A filling device as defined in claim 30, wherein said portion of said supporting means is bifurcated.
 32. A filling device as defined in claim 30, wherein said conduit means is provided with a plurality of axially spaced grooves each of which can receive said portion of said supporting means.
 33. A filling device as defined in claim 1, wherein said first valve means comprises a tubular member and said conduit means is adjustable axially of and communicates with said tubular member.
 34. In an apparatus for introducing metered quantities of a liquid into cans or analogous containers, a combination comprising a plurality of filling devices each having a substantially upright housing, a sealing member mounted in said housing for movement to and from a lower end position and having deformable annular gasket means arranged to sealingly engage from above the mouth of a container which is positioned below said housing, first valve means mounted in said housing and movable to an open position to thereby admit a compressed gaS into the container which is engaged by said gasket means, said sealing member defining with said housing a chamber located at a level above said gasket means and arranged to receive compressed gas in response to opening of said first valve means whereby the compressed gas in said chamber urges said gasket means against the mouth of the container therebelow, second valve means provided in said housing and movable to an open position to admit a pressurized liquid into the container which is engaged by said gasket means, gas conveying conduit means operatively connected with said first valve means and communicating with the interior of the container which is engaged by said gasket means, and supporting means securing said conduit means to said sealing member so that said conduit means shares the movements of said sealing member with reference to said housing; means for orbiting said filling devices about a substantially vertical axis; and a gas- and liquid-containing vessel located above said filling devices and arranged to dispense compressed gas and liquid in response to opening of said first and second valve means. 